Just wanted to share a little of my experience. I am really getting into cap and ball as I mainly shoot cartridge and I can vary guns to meet my on-hand supplies. I have one tube of Traditions bore butter. Seemed expensive and I don’t want to go with any petroleum based ingredients. I started out with my basic lube which is:
Emmert’s Lube with lanolin;
50% Bees wax
40% white Crisco
5% canola oil
5% lanolin
For bore butter I took one full Sterlite sandwich container of Emmert Lube and put in 1.5qt slow cooker. When melted I added 1lb of pure salt free lard. At this point I took tablespoon sample from pot and let solidify in refrigerator. I sampled it by squeezing with fingers. Still too hard (my opinion) and started adding canola oil. Did this several trial periods till got a hardness a wee bit harder than my sample Traditions product. When Nevada gets hot it is hot so use your noggin to accommodate for your area. As reference, after I got to desired hardness I filled three sandwich containers to brim.
COSTS: I buy bee wax 20lbs at a time for 8 bucks a pound. Lanolin is 18.00 a pound but a lb goes long way. Crisco, lard and canola oil. Tell your sweetie you are making biscuits for men’s bible study class.
NOTE: I use basic Emmert's lube for wads but like it a bit harder than lube for bullets so I add 5/6% more bee wax to basic receipt.
Emmert’s Lube with lanolin;
50% Bees wax
40% white Crisco
5% canola oil
5% lanolin
For bore butter I took one full Sterlite sandwich container of Emmert Lube and put in 1.5qt slow cooker. When melted I added 1lb of pure salt free lard. At this point I took tablespoon sample from pot and let solidify in refrigerator. I sampled it by squeezing with fingers. Still too hard (my opinion) and started adding canola oil. Did this several trial periods till got a hardness a wee bit harder than my sample Traditions product. When Nevada gets hot it is hot so use your noggin to accommodate for your area. As reference, after I got to desired hardness I filled three sandwich containers to brim.
COSTS: I buy bee wax 20lbs at a time for 8 bucks a pound. Lanolin is 18.00 a pound but a lb goes long way. Crisco, lard and canola oil. Tell your sweetie you are making biscuits for men’s bible study class.
NOTE: I use basic Emmert's lube for wads but like it a bit harder than lube for bullets so I add 5/6% more bee wax to basic receipt.